White flies
White flies , shown here on a red-and-yellow coleus, are exceedingly tiny sucking insects that flutter off the leaves when a plant is disturbed.
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| White flies |
The eggs they lay on
undersides of leaves hatch into almost
invisible transparent green larvae that feed on plant sap and do most of the damage. Green leaves turn yellow and drop. If white flies
are left unchecked, they can kill the
plant. Like aphids, they deposit honeydew. exceedingly tiny sucking insects that flutter off the leaves when a plant is
disturbed. The eggs they lay on
undersides of leaves hatch into almost
invisible transparent green larvae that feed on plant sap and do most of the damage. Green leaves turn yellow and drop. If white flies
are left unchecked, they can kill the
plant. Like aphids, they deposit honeydew.
Mehtod’s of control
For mild cases, wash the leaves with a strong spray of tepid
water, making sure to cleanse the
underside thoroughly. Treat serious attacks with rote none or pyrethrum, or take
the plant outdoors or to a well-ventilated area and spray with malathion. Spray
from a distance of about 18 inches, let dry,
then rinse the leaves with clear tepid water. to cleanse the
underside thoroughly. Treat serious attacks with rote none or pyre thrum, or take
the plant outdoors or to awell-ventilated area and spray with malathion. Spray
from a distance of about 18 inches, let dry,
then rinse the leaves with clear tepid water.
Two spotted spider mites
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| Two spotted spider mites |
These microscopic pest are also called red spider mites, although some types are green.
The first sign as attack may be yellow or brown speckles on the foliage. When they attack cacti the whole
plant may become mottled and gray. Spider mites usually live under
leaves, spinning fine white webs that may cover the plant. In time, the plants
become stunted and die. called red spider mites,
although some types are green.
The first sign as attack may be yellow or brown speckles on the foliage. When they attack cacti the whole
plant may become mottled and gray. Spider mites usually live under
leaves, spinning fine white webs that may cover the plant. In time, the plants
become stunted and die.
Mehtod’s of control
Wash small plants at the sink with a strong spray of tepid water to
dislodge mites, large plant should be wiped with a soft cloth, then rinsed with tepid clear water. For serious
infestation, use difocol or
tetradifon, or take the plant
outdoors or to a well-ventilated area and
spray with malathion. When the spray
dries, rinse leaves with clear water. If the mites persist, destroy the plant. with a strong spray of tepid water to
dislodge mites, large plant should be wiped with a soft cloth, then rinsed with tepid clear water. For serious
infestation, use bifocal or
tetradifon, or take the plant
outdoors or to awell-ventilated area and
spray with malathion. When the spray
dries, rinse leaves with clear water. If the mites persist, destroy the plant.
mealy bugs
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| mealy bugs |
The soft ¼ inch-long bodies of mealy bugs, shown here on a multicolored crouton, are coated with white powdery wash.
They look like bits of cottons clustered under leaves and in crevices on the tops of leaves
they are in shade. The
long-tailed kind shown bears living
young; short-tailed mealy bugs lay up to 600 eggs. But sucking
sap, both kind stunt and kill plant. mealy bugs, shown here on a multicolored
crouton, are coated with white powdery wash. They look like bits of cottons clustered under leaves and in crevices on the tops of leaves
they are in shade. The
long-tailed kind shown bears living
young; short-tailed mealy bugs lay up to 600 eggs. But sucking
sap, both kind stunt and kill plant.
Mehtod’s of control
Gently scrub the scales off the leaves, using warm soapy water and a small
brush, then rinse the foliage with
clear tepid water. Treat severely infected plants with rote none or
pyrethrum, or take a plant outdoors or to a well-ventilated area and spray with
malathion. After spray dries, foliage
thoroughly with clear tepid water. leaves, using warm soapy water and a small
brush, then rinse the foliage with
clear tepid water. Treat severely infected plants with rote none or
pyrethrum, or take a plant outdoors or to a well-ventilated area and spray with
malathion. After spray dries, foliage
thoroughly with clear tepid water.
